The Magnetic Fields of Millisecond Pulsars in Globular Clusters

TL;DR

This paper compares the magnetic field strengths of millisecond pulsars in globular clusters to those in the Galactic disc, suggesting potential differences and their implications for pulsar evolution.

Contribution

It identifies a possible difference in magnetic field strengths between cluster and disc pulsars and discusses potential causes and implications.

Findings

Globular cluster pulsars have 2-5 times larger magnetic fields.

Average spin periods are similar in both environments.

Biases or high accretion rates may explain the magnetic field differences.

Abstract

Many of the characteristic properties of the millisecond pulsars found in globular clusters are markedly different from those in the Galactic disc. We find that one such physical parameter is the surface magnetic field strength. Even though the average spin-periods do not differ much the average surface magnetic field is 2-5 times larger in the globular cluster pulsars. This effect could be apparent, arising due to one or more of several biases. Alternatively, if future observations confirm this effect to be real, then this could be interpreted as a preferential recycling of pulsars in tight binaries where the mass transfer takes place at high accretion rates.